Cashier Salary in the USA

Cashier salary in the USA is around $15.81 per hour at the national median, or about $32,880 a year, based on the latest May 2025 wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A cashier salary can be different by state, store, industry, working hours and experience. Some cashiers work in grocery stores, supermarkets, department stores, restaurants, gas stations and other retail businesses. The average cashier salary seen on current job postings can also be different from the official BLS median wage. Indeed, for example, reports an average cashier pay of about $15.01 per hour in the United States based on recent job postings. Cashier jobs are often available without a formal college education and most workers learn the job through short-term training at the workplace.

Cashier Salary in the USA

A cashier is usually one of the first workers a customer talks with inside a store or other business. The job may look simple from outside, but cashiers have to handle payments correctly, scan products, give the right change, process cards and sometimes help customers with returns or basic questions. The cashier salary in the USA can therefore depend on what type of business the cashier works for and where the job is located. According to BLS, the median cashier wage was $15.81 per hour in May 2025. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $11.79 per hour, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $19.43 per hour. The annual median was $32,880 when the hourly and annual figures are reported by BLS.

Average Cashier Salary and Hourly Pay

When people search for average cashier salary, they may see different numbers because salary websites use different data sources and methods. BLS reports the official occupational wage estimates, while job websites can calculate an average from recent job postings or reported salaries. Salary.com reported about $33,573 per year, or around $16 per hour, for a cashier as of September 2026. Indeed was showing about $15.01 per hour as the average base pay from recent job postings. These numbers are useful for understanding the current market, but they should not be treated as exactly the same measure as the BLS occupational median.

Cashier Salary by State

Cashier salary by state can change quite a lot across the United States. The May 2025 BLS state estimates show a national median of $32,880 per year, while state median wages range from the mid-$20,000s in some states to more than $38,000 in Washington and the District of Columbia. The difference can come from local labor markets, employers, industries and wage levels in each area. The table below uses the BLS May 2025 state median wage data for cashiers. District of Columbia is included for comparison even though it is not a state.

The state figures show why a cashier salary can feel very different depending on location. For example, the median annual wage was $38,720 in Washington, while it was $26,390 in Mississippi in the same May 2025 BLS data. California had a median of $37,100 and Alaska had $36,130. These are statewide occupational wage estimates and they are not adjusted for differences in local living costs.

How Much Does a Cashier Make Per Hour?

The question how much does a cashier make per hour is one of the common searches for this job. Nationally, the BLS median is $15.81 an hour. But an actual job offer can be lower or higher depending on the employer and location. Current job listings can also show different starting rates. Some cashier jobs may start close to the local minimum wage, while stores in higher wage areas may advertise $17, $18 or more per hour. Evening, weekend and holiday schedules can also affect total earnings when an employer provides shift differentials or extra hours.

How Much Does a Cashier Make a Year?

How much does a cashier make a year depends mostly on hourly rate and how many hours the person works. At the national BLS median of $15.81 per hour, the annual median wage is $32,880. A full-time cashier working regular hours can therefore use around $32,880 as a useful national salary reference, but not every cashier works full time. Part-time work is common in this occupation, so a person's actual yearly income can be lower when they work fewer hours. On the other hand, extra shifts and higher local wages can increase yearly earnings.

Entry Level Cashier Salary

Entry level cashier salary is usually close to the starting wage offered by the store or business. A person who is getting a cashier job for the first time may not start at the national median wage because the median includes workers with different levels of experience. Many entry level cashiers learn the register, payment system, store rules and customer service while working. In areas where local minimum wages are higher, the starting cashier pay can also be higher. A new cashier working full time may earn roughly $25,000 to $32,000 a year depending on the hourly rate and hours worked, while some higher-wage locations can offer more.

Cashier Salary With Experience

Cashier salary with experience does not always increase in a fixed way. Cashier is a job where experience can help a worker become faster and more trusted with cash handling, but the biggest pay difference often comes from changing employer, location, working more hours or moving into a higher position. An experienced cashier may also become a senior cashier, customer service associate, front-end supervisor or shift lead. These positions can bring more responsibility and sometimes higher pay than a basic cashier position.

• New cashier: Usually starts near the employer's entry wage and receives training on the job.
• Experienced cashier: Can handle transactions faster and may be trusted with cash balancing and customer problems.
• Senior cashier: May help other cashiers and deal with more complicated customer service situations.
• Cashier supervisor: Has additional responsibility for the front end, employees, registers and daily operations.

Retail Cashier Salary

Retail cashier salary can be different depending on the type and size of the store. Retail cashiers work in department stores, clothing stores, discount stores, convenience stores and many other businesses. A small store may have one cashier doing several tasks, while a large retailer can have many registers and a separate customer service area. Retail cashier pay is often based on the local wage market, employer pay policy and whether the position is part time or full time.

Grocery Store Cashier Salary

Grocery store cashier salary is another common search because supermarkets employ a large number of cashiers. Grocery cashiers normally scan food and other products, take payments, provide receipts and help customers at checkout. Some grocery stores also have self-checkout areas where employees watch several machines and help customers when there is a problem. Full-time grocery cashiers may receive benefits depending on the employer, while part-time workers may have different benefit eligibility.

• Scan groceries and other products correctly.
• Accept cash, credit cards, debit cards and other payment methods.
• Give customers the correct change and receipt.
• Help with price checks and basic checkout questions.
• Keep the checkout area clean and organized.
• Assist customers using self-checkout machines when required.

Cashier Hourly Pay in the USA

Cashier hourly pay is often more useful than annual salary for this occupation because many cashier positions are paid by the hour. The national BLS median was $15.81 per hour in May 2025. At that rate, a person working 40 hours every week for 52 weeks would have gross pay of about $32,885 before taxes, which is close to the BLS reported annual median of $32,880. Actual yearly income can be different because cashiers may work part time, have changing schedules, take unpaid time off or work additional hours.

Cashier Pay for Part-Time Workers

Part-time cashier pay is normally calculated from the same hourly rate used for the position, but the yearly income is lower because the worker has fewer scheduled hours. Part-time cashier jobs are common in retail because stores need workers during busy periods such as evenings, weekends and holidays. A person working 20 hours per week at $15.81 an hour would make about $16,442 in gross wages over 52 weeks before taxes, if the schedule stayed the same all year.

Cashier Salary for Full-Time Workers

A full-time cashier salary can be around the national median annual wage when the worker receives regular full-time hours. At $15.81 per hour, 40 hours a week produces about $32,880 in yearly gross pay. But this is only a simple calculation and not a guarantee of what a particular cashier will earn. Some employers pay a higher hourly rate, while some positions may not provide 40 hours every week. Overtime, bonuses or other payments can also change total earnings.

What Does a Cashier Do?

A cashier's main job is to process customer purchases and payments, but the daily work can include many other small tasks. Cashiers need to pay attention because even a small mistake with cash, a product scan or a payment can create a problem for the customer or store. In busy stores, cashiers can serve many customers during one shift and may need to stay polite while working quickly.

• Operate a cash register or point-of-sale system.
• Scan merchandise and check prices.
• Process cash, card and electronic payments.
• Count cash and provide correct change.
• Print or provide customer receipts.
• Answer basic questions about products or store services.
• Handle simple returns or direct customers to the customer service desk.
• Keep the checkout station organized.
• Follow store procedures for cash handling and security.
• Help customers with self-checkout when assigned.

Cashier Job Duties and Responsibilities

Cashier job duties can be different from one workplace to another. In a small business, the cashier may also stock products, clean the counter or answer phones. In a supermarket, the job can be more focused on checkout operations. In some stores, cashiers also help with customer service, returns, gift cards and loyalty programs. Because cashiers deal directly with customers, communication and basic problem solving are an important part of the work.

Cashier Skills Needed for the Job

There is usually no college degree required to become a cashier, but employers look for basic skills that help the worker handle customers and payments correctly. A cashier should be comfortable using computers or touchscreen register systems and should be able to follow instructions. Being careful with numbers is also important because the job involves handling money and checking transactions.

• Basic math and money handling skills
• Customer service skills
• Clear communication
• Attention to detail
• Basic computer and POS system knowledge
• Ability to work at a steady pace
• Patience with customers
• Ability to follow store rules
• Ability to stand for long periods
• Ability to work with other store employees

Cashier Education Requirements

One reason cashier jobs are popular entry-level jobs is that a college degree is normally not required. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says cashiers typically do not need a formal educational credential and usually receive short-term on-the-job training. A high school diploma or equivalent may be preferred by some employers, but requirements can vary by company and position. New workers are generally taught how to use the register, accept payments, follow cash-handling rules and provide customer service.

Cashier Working Hours and Schedule

Cashier working hours depend on the type of business. Grocery stores, supermarkets and large retailers may operate for long hours, so cashiers can have morning, afternoon, evening or weekend shifts. Some stores are open 24 hours and may offer overnight cashier positions. Holiday schedules can also be busy because customer shopping increases during certain periods. A cashier who wants more hours may sometimes be able to pick up additional shifts when the employer has available work.

Cashier Benefits and Other Pay

Cashier benefits are different from employer to employer. Full-time employees at larger companies may have access to health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, employee discounts or other benefits. Part-time employees may have fewer benefits or may become eligible only after meeting company requirements. Some cashier positions can also offer bonuses, shift pay or other incentives, but these are not included in the basic BLS median wage unless they are part of the reported wage data.

• Health insurance may be available at some employers.
• Paid vacation or paid time off may be offered.
• Some companies provide retirement savings plans.
• Employee discounts are common in some retail businesses.
• Some employers provide additional pay for certain shifts.
• Bonuses may be available for selected positions or companies.